Door-fastener.



J. E. MONTGOMERY.

DOOR FASTENE R.

APPLICATION FILED APR-20. 1917.

7 1 9 1 1 T 7 H 2H 4 Wm N u d w. m2 m t a P INVENTOR jfw/zywflw s E s s E N n w ATTORNEY J. E. MONTGOMERY.

DOOR FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20. 1911.

Patented Nov. 27, 1917/.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

E -Ema W w LV/ 1/ INVENTOR WITNESSES J'S E. MONTGOMERY, DIP LANCASTER, KENTUCKY.

DOOR-FASTENER.

AppIication filed April 20, 1917.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES E. MONT- GOMERY, a citizen of the United States, re siding at Lancaster, in the county of Garrard and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Door- Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to looks and latches, and more especially to sliding door fasteners; and the object of the same is to produce a fastener especially adapted for the sliding doors on freight and similar cars, although it is applicable to other doors and I do not wish to be limited in its use.

Broadly speaking the invention comprises spring actuated means for latching the door when it is closed, unlatching mechanism including rock levers for tripping the latch and a wedge for actuating the rock levers, and stop mechanism for preventing the movement of the Wedge and the action of the unlatching mechanism until the stop is set by action of a special form of key.

My preferred construction of the several elements is set forth in the following specification and claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of parts with the door closed and latched, and this view shows that the door can not be unlatched without moving the wedge to the right which would project its pin through the stop.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the door closed but not latched, because here the unlatching mechanism has been moved to trip the latch. This view also shows the pin of the wedge projected through the stop, and therefore the stop in this view is open whereas the stop in Fig. 1 may be assumed to be closed.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the outer side of the door, showing the latch folded back out of the way by means of a hinge in the shank; and Fig. i is a. detail of the outer side of the frame, showing the latch casing thereon and illustrating the handle and key.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section through the stop mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through said mechanism on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing the first position, Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the second position, and Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the third position of parts as they are moved to permit the wedge Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2?, 191% Serial No. 163,460.

pin to move through the stop, or in other words, these are three views showing different positions of the parts of the stop which they assume when it is being opened by the key.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 99 of Fig. 5.

For sake of illustration 1 have shown the latch as applied to a sliding door I), such as the door on the side of a freight car or the like, F designates the door frame or a part of the side of the car against which the door closes, and C is a metal casing containing the unlatching mechanism and the stop forming the principal elements of my invention. This casing is shown in Fig. 4 as secured to the outside of the car wall F, while the latch is secured to the outside of the door Dthe latter being possible because when the latch enters the casing as seen in Figs. 1 and 2 it may not be reached, but when it is withdrawn from the casing and in reach it does not need protection.

The latch proper comprises a shank 1 secured at 2 to the face of the door D, and having a hinge 8 within its length. The outer portion of the shank has a T-head 4 at its outer extremity, and to the ends of the head of the T are pivoted wings 5 pressed normally outward by springs 6 and limited in their outward movement by headed stops 7. When not in use the outer end of the shank and the wings carried thereby may be turned back out of the way as seen in Fig. 3, and therefore these parts do not project beyond the edge of the door where they might be struck by freight or persons passing in and out. When in use this portion of the latch is turned downward on the hinge which is of the knuckle type as seen in Fig. 1, and the entire shank is straight and horizontal.

The catch for this latch comprises two blocks 10 secured within the mouth of the casing C and spaced to form an opening 11 which is sufficiently large to permit the passage of the T head 1 and the outer or pivoted ends of the wings 5. Therefore when the latch is projected into the casing as seen in Fig. 1, the springs 6 throw the wings outward so that their tips engage behind the blocks as seen at 16, and the latch is fastened in the casing and the door can not again be opened. It will be clear without further illustration that it is not necessary for the door to slide. Such a latch could be slidably mounted on a swinging door, and when the latter was swung closed so that the latch came opposite the catch, the latch could he slid forward and the front end projected into the catch with the results already described. The parts thus far described constitute a latch for the door, but they are of such construction that means are necessary for unlatching the device so that the door can be again opened.

The unlatching mechanism includes two rock levers 20 and 21 pivoted between their ends at 22 within the casing C and possibly having rollers 23 on their outer ends which stand outside of the tips of the wings 5 and adjacent the blocks 10, and the arms of the rock levers may be mounted under guides 24. Their inner ends are flared slightly as at 25. The unlatching mechanism also employs a Wedge block having a stem 27 mounted between appropriate guides 28 within the casing so that it may move longitudinally, the block standing between the flared ends of the rock levers and its stem having teeth 29 along one edge.

For actuating the stem and therefore the end as best seen in Fig. 4. When now this handle is turned in the proper direction, the block will be projected so that it passes between the flared ends as seen in Fig. 2.

This rocks the levers on their pivots 22, and the rollers 23 compress the wings 5 against the tension of their springs, with the result that the latch is reduced in size and may thereafter be withdrawn from the catch. If the block be left projected, the parts remain standing as seen in Fig. 2 so that if the latch should be subsequently moved into the opening 11 its wings could not be sprung apart as seen in Fig. 1 but would remain compressed as seen in Fig. 2, and therefore the door may not be latched at this time. Therefore the unlatching mechanism is serviceable both for unlatching the door and for setting the parts so that the door may not again be latched until the handle is rotated in the opposite direction. This movement obviously retracts the block and restores the parts to the position shown in Fi 1.

The mechanism thus far described may be operated at any time by a person who can gain access to the handle 32, and if the latter be on the outside of the car Wall F as seen in Fig. 1, it is obvious that the door can be opened by anybody. It is of -course clear that the door can be closed by any one at any time, but it can not be latched so long as the block remains in projected position. Once closed and "latched, the

door cannot be unlatched unless the block and the door remains latched.

is projected. Therefore the provision of any means for preventing the projection of the block will destroy the publicity which the use of my latch possesses, until such means is first actuated. As will be seen below, I make use of a stop mechanism which as a whole constitutes the second feature of my invention.

Referring now Sheet 2 of the drawings, a housing 40 issecured within or made as part of the casing C, andthe side walls of this housing are provided with registering openings 41 and 12 which stand directly in the path of a pin 43 projecting rigidly from the tip of the block 26. The preferred positionof parts is such that the tip of the pin rests within the firstopening 41 when the block is retracted-see Fig. 6-and therefore the openings constitute in effect a guidefor the block and its stem. lVit-hin the housing is mounted a pair of tumblers or slides, of which one and preferably the smaller one 43' has an opening at and in line therewith a slot 45. The other and preferably larger tumbler or slide 46 has an opening at, and

more particularly to adjacent thereto a pin 48 projecting into.

the slot 415.. The forward end (or, as shown on Sheet 2 of the drawings, the upper end), of the larger slide carries a cross head 50 having an opening 51 through which projects a screw 52 rising from the housing 40 and passingloosely through a hole 53 in the casing C; and a key 5% (see Figs; 7 and 8) has an internally threaded tubular barrel 55 which may be engaged with said screw when the barrel is passed 3 through the hole 53. The cross head is sustained by springs 56 surrounding plungers 57 depending from its end, the springs and plunger-s passing into sockets 58 in the housing as best seen in Fig. 5. This entire stop mechanism may be made separate from the walls of the casing CQandlsecured thereon by screws as shown at 59 in Fig. 1, and therefore when the face plate of the casing is removedand access to its interior is obtained, the housing can be taken out entirely if it is notto be used or if it needs attention or perhaps replacing. When in place the tip of the screw 52 projects slightly through the hole 53, so that the key 54: can he slipped over the'same as seen in Fig. 4..

The use of this feature of my invention is as follows: Assuming that the door D has 7 been closed and latched as seen in Fig. 1, and the tip of the pin 4-3 stands within the inlet opening 41 0f the housing 40, the open- 'ings 44k and 1-7 in the tumblers are now out of alinement with the opening ll, and therefore the pin 43 can not move farther inwardhence the stop mechanism prevents the movement of the unlatchin mechanism, To 'unlatch it, the operator brings the key 54L into place and passes its barrel over the screw 52 and rotates the key until the parts stand in the position shown in Fig. 7. Such rotation moves the larger tumbler inward or down ward against the tension of its sarings 56, until its lower end contacts with the bottom of the housing (or as shown the plate of the casing C), at which time its opening 47 has passed beyond the alined openings 41 and i2 as seen. In its downward movement this tumbler, through its pin as engaging the slot 45, causes a simultaneous downward movement of the smaller tumbler 4:8", and when. the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 7, the opening 44 in the smaller tumbler is opposite the pin 43. The key 5st is now rotated in the reverse direction to permit the springs 56 to expand and the larger tumbler to rise again, and eventually its opening 47 comes in alinement with the other three openings as seen in Fig. Sthe pin 48 during this action rising freely within the slot 4E5 which permits a certain lost motion as will be clear. To cause the smaller slide or turnbler 43 to move only as it is compelled by contact of said pin with one end of its slot, I preferably make use of a spring finger or detent 6O as illustrated in Fig. 7, the same exerting a slight degree of tension on this tumbler and presenting means for holding it friction ally in place until moved by the companion tumbler. Therefore it will be seen that the setting of this stop mechanism to aline the several openings forward of the pin 48 involves an inward movement of the key necessitating a certain number of revolutions to the right to bring the parts from the position. shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, and then an outward or reverse movement involving a certain number of revolutions to the left to bring the main tumbler to the position shown in Fig. 8, after which the handle 82 may be rotated to project the wedge block with the result described above.

What is claimed as new is 1. In a door fastener, the combination with a latch whose shank is secured to the door and projects beyond its edge, a pair of wings pivoted at one end to the outer end of said shank and standing alongside its body, springs normally distending their other ends, and headed stops in the shank for limiting their outward movement; of a catch consisting of blocks spaced a distance to permit the insertion of the pivoted ends of the wings, the blocks being carried by the door frame, and unlatching mechanism mounted on said frame and including elements standing behind said blocks and means for moving them toward each other to compress the free ends of said wings, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a door fastener, the combination with the door and frame, a latch whose shank has a knuckle joint within its length, the inner portion of the shank being secured to the door and the outer portion adapted to project beyond the outer edge thereof, a pair of wings pivotally connected at their outer ends with the outer extremity of said outer portion, and means for normally distending their inner ends; of spaced blocks secured to said frame and producing an opening through which the pivoted ends of said wings may pass when the door is closed and the same projected but behind. which blocks the tips of said wings are sprung by said distending means, and unlatching mechanism carried by the frame for compressing said tips in unlatching the door.

3. In a door fastener,the combination with a latch adapted to be mounted on the door and including a shank and a pair of normally distended wings thereon; of a catch adapted to be carried by the door frame and including a pair of blocks behind which the tips of said wings engage, and unlatching mechanism adapted also to be carried by the frame and including a pair of rock levers whose forward ends stand behind said blocks and outside the tips of said wings and whose rearward ends are flared outward, a wedge bet-ween said flared ends, and manually op erable mechanism for projecting the wedge, for the purpose set forth.

4-. In a door fastener, the combination with a latch adapted to be mounted on the door and including a shank and a pair of normally distended wings thereon; of a catch adapted to be carried by the door frame and including a pair of blocks behind which the tips of said wings engage, and unlatching mechanism adapted also to be carried by the frame and including pair of rock levers whose forward ends stand behind said blocks and outside the tips of said wings and whose rearward ends are spaced, a wedge block standing between said spaced ends, a shank mounted in guides and havin teeth on its edge, a gear engaging said teeth,

and a handle to turn the gear.

5. In a door fastener, the combination with a latch mounted on the door, a catch mounted on the door frame and adapted to be engaged by the latch, and a pair of rock levers also mounted on the door frame with their forward ends in position to disengage the latch from the catch and their rearward ends spaced; of a wedge block standing between said spaced ends and provided with a pin projecting between the levers, manually operable mechanism engaging the block for projecting and retracting it, and stop mechanism standing in the path of said pin.

6. In door fastener, the combination with a latch mounted on the door, a catch mounted on the door frame and adapted to be engaged by the latch, and a pair of rock levers also mounted on the door frame with their forward ends in position to disengage the latch from the catch and their rearward ends flared outward; of a wedge between the flared ends and provided with a pin projecting between the levers, manually operable mechanism for projecting and retract ing said wedge, a casing inclosing the catch, levers, and wedge and its pin, a housing within the casing in line with said pin, tumblers movably mounted within said housing and having openings adapted to be brought in register with the path of the pin, and manually operable means for setting said tumblers.

7. In a door fastener, the combination with a latch mounted on the door, a catch mounted on the door frame and adapted to be engaged by the latch, and a pair of reel: levers also mounted on the door frame with their forward ends in position to disengage the latch from the catch and their rearward ends spaced; of a wet ge block between said spaced ends and provided with a pin projecting between the levers, manually operable mechanism for projecting and retracting said wedge, a housing; adapted to be mounted 011 the door frame forward of the pin, the walls of the housing having alined openings through which the pin may pass, tumblers movably mounted within the housing and also having openings adapted to register with those in said walls, and hem mechanism for setting said tumblers.

8. In 'a door fastener, the combination with a latch on the door, a fastener on the door frame, unlatohing mechanism also on the door frame for tripping the latching mechanism, a wedge constituting part of said unlatching mechanism and having a pin, and manual mechanism for projecting said wedge; of stop mechanism in the path of said pin comprising relatively large and small overlying slides having openings adapted to 'aline with the pin, one slide having a slot and the other a pin engaging said slot with certain lost motion, yielding means for holding the other slide with its opening out of register with the pin, across-head on this slide having an opening, a fixed screw projecting through this opening, and a key having an internally threaded barrel adapted to engage said screw and contact with the cross head, for the purpose set forth.

9. In a door fastener, the combination with the latch, the unlatching mechanism including a pair of levers, and a manually operable wedge movable between said levers and having a pin projecting from its tip along its line of movement; ofa casing across the-path of said pin and having registering openings in its side walls, large and small slides movably mounted within said casing and having openings adapted to register with those in said walls, the small slide also having a slot, a pin in the large slidej engaging said slot with certain lost motion, a fixed screw rising from the housing, a cross head on the large slide having an opening mounted over said screw and loosely embracing it, springs beneath the extremities of said cross head, and a key having an internally threaded tubular barrel for engaging said screw, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

' JAMES E. MONTGOMERY. l/Vitnesses V N. L. COLLAMER, BENNETT S. Jones.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

